As the historical land of the Jewish people and the one place in the world to which Jews dreamt to return through nearly 1900 years of exile, Israel plays an important role in the lives of the overwhelming majority of committed Jews. Some visit as many as five or six times a year - to be with friends or relatives, tour the sites that are a reflection of their heritage, to spend the holidays and/or summer, and/or their winter break relaxing on Israel's beaches, enjoying the nightlife and being tourists in a land with which they identify, or just as a show of solidarity or support.
For Jews touring Israel with the intention of discover or intensifying their Jewish identity, the sites in the country may be divided into two categories: those of a purely religious nature, and those that relate to Jewish nationhood, whether during the time of the First Temple (e.g., the Ariel Center for Jerusalem in the First Temple Period), or during the period relating to the current State of Israel (e. g., the museum at Kibbutz Degania where the story of life on Israel's first kibbutz is portrayed).
Just about every hotel in Israel, with the exception of most of those in East Jerusalem, operates under rabbinical supervision, so most Orthodox Jews will feel comfortable staying them. Some are stricter than others in matters of “kashruth” and serve only “Glatt kosher” meat. However, bear in mind that for the most part, the type of kashruth offered by a hotel is not necessarily an indication of the mix of guests to which it caters. On the other hand, Jews who are not observant – and non-Jews too – should not be surprised that they can't order a ham sandwich or shrimp cocktail in the hotel dining room, or get a meal cooked a la minute on the Jewish Sabbath, or get milk or cream in their coffee – or a cake to go with it made with real butter or cream – as the finale to a meal where meat was served.